Circular-knitting machine.



W; E. SNHTH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING VACHWL APPUQATION FILED1UNE2,1914.

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W. E. SVHTH,

CIRCUUXR KNITTING WACHN APPLICATION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Re''efrng to the aus@ Figure l represents a. particu o' a knitting Venient/ employ 'ifm c into e'v 2 sfsctf@ ie neef courses* of Che such Courses wom 191g; 5 is 4u a secnomi view zep'eseutng a, m0611159@ Gl? web mg kmt m accordance W1 n my wf/amm The objectm my invention means m a seamless L q P seamess:

e masking :Samva iba heel, m n @they Wm' b ck (i Width' than hav' per cal-n cylinder and 6 substantial form and construction illustrated 1n the patent before referred to.

The needles which knit the rear portion of the stocking, .the heel and toe pockets, and the sole portion of the foot, may be said to be divided into two classes, to wit, a centrally disposed portion which l will indicate by the reference letter all of which knit at every reciprocation of the upper cani cylinder during reciprocating work, and are not affected by the pickers, and a series of needles at each side of the needles w, which l Jwill indicate by the reference letter m2 which are successively thrown out of operal tion during narrowing and into'operation the needles for the either side, which are during widening, while making the heel and v toe pockets, and whichfor convenience of reference l term the fashloning needles. A

. portion of the fashioning needles e2 and the centrally disposed needles fr between the same are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2.

ln carrying out my present invention .l provide the centrally disposed needles ai', which arel not affected by the pickers, with the usual or long nibs, indicated at r3 (see Fig. el), while the fashioning `needles are providedwith a shorter nib :r4 (Fig. The upper cani cylinder which actuates the needles knitting the rear half of the steelt` ing fabric is provided with a leading cani ridge 5i* in advance of the knitting cairL 5b, which is of such width that it will actuate the long nib needles, but will not actuate the short nib needles. During the knitting of thev circular work it will be understood that both cam cylinders are rotated simultaneously, the lower cam cylinder operating the needles knitting the front 'portion of 'the le A, and the upper cani cylinder actuating back portion of the leg, and as the upper cam moves around, the leading earn 5a will engage the long nibs m3 of the needles fr and raise thein into a higher plane than the fashioning needles at provided with the short nibs, so as to enable the needles ai to receive a reinforcing thread indicated at 10u, which will be fed thereto by auxiliary thread guide l0, and which will not be fed to any of the other needles not so raised The knitting thread indica 'ed at lli" reciprocating 'reinforcing thread 4thrown into operative position will be fed in the-usual manner by the main thread guide ll and. will be taken by th'e needles :ff as well as the needles az so that the reinforced fabric forming the high splice above the heel is limited to the number of needles raised by the leading cam l prefer to provide allthe needles with the long nib au, as indicated in Fig. 2, but it is obvious that a number of these needles less than the entire number between the two sets of fashioning needles a02 might be provided with the long nibs andthe remaining needles might be provided with the short nibs so not to be actuated 'by the leading cam 5a which would reduce the number of stitches reinforced in each course still furthen-as indicated in Fig. 7, in which the dotted line 3 indicates the width which the high splice would have if all the needles m were provided with the long nib, and

represents the high spliced portion knit by a lesser number 'of the needles ai which are provided with the long nibs as before describedy and it is obvious 'therefore that with this arrangement l can vary the width of the hj'h splice portion considerably if found doimble.

.lt is obvious that after the thread guide l0 has fed the reinforcing thread l0?L to the needles a" Ahaving the long nihs and held in elevated position, as shown in Fig. 2, the willloat across the cyl inder, indicated by the dotted line in F f5 and the float threads will be severed after the stocking is knit, in the usual Inanner adjacent to each side of the stocking.

ln 5 l have illustrated a stocking knit in the manner described, 'in which o represents the leg of the stocking, represents the narrow high spliced portion, c Athe heel pocket, (Z the top of the foot, e the sole of the foot, and f the toe pocket, the portions of the stocking not particularly described herein being knit\. in the Well known manner.

ln some instances I may desire to knit a few courses of reinforced fabric immediately above' the heel of the full width of the heel, indicated at b2 in Fig. 7, after knitting the narrow high spliced portici` Z2 in the .manner hereinhefore described. 'fo accomplish this, l preferably provide a third thread guide indicated at .l2 in. Fig. 2, which is normally out of operative position, and which carriesa reinforcing thread l2ZL which may be of the same character as the reinforcing thread 10L or of adiflerent charactor as preferred, and after the narrow high spliced'portion Zn has been knit, the

threaded guidel0 is thrown out of operative position, as indicated in dotted lines 10b in 2, and the thread guide 19. is as indicated guide being reinforcing at l2", Fig. 9;, the said thread so constructed as to deliver the incense Y thread l2u belou1 the plane of the hooks or' the fashioning needles when the latter in their highest or raised positions, as indi- A ercti cated in Fig. 2 so that the secondary reinforcing-thread l2 will be thereafter fed to all of the needles of the series knitting the rear portion of the stocking, which Will therefore knit a plurality of courses, -indicated at b2 in Fig. 7 `lorrning the lower part of thehigh splice, and being oft they salue,

such 'mechanism is shown for example rin Letters "Patent of the United States No.

669,730, granted to Edward E. lilbourn,

v-lllarch 312th 1901. ller the {Jurposes of the ienisrn for ei- Yample may be employed or the thread guides present. invention such niec maybe manipulated by hand. n While l have shown my invention as applied to a knitting 'machine of the Kilbourn typel do not limit itto this type ot niachine, as in other types ci circular lmiting machines the same result might be obtafned by providing a plurality ofthe needles knitting thefback portion oi' the stocking with long` nib'l' 'and lifting the saine bynieans of a `leading cam 1n advance of the knitting cam so that the reinforcing thread can be vfed thereto above the plane of the remaining needles knitting the baclr portion oir' the stocking. A

' What l claim and desire to secure by lietters Patent iszy i l. .In a circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with a circular series of needles, switch forming earn mechanism for actuating the' same during circular vand reciprocating Work, and narrowing and widening mechanism, of means for :feeding a reinforcing thread during circular WorfA to a plurality of consecutive needles only, disposed substantially centrally of the group of needles Whichrknit the back ci the leg, the sole, heel, and toe pockets, und being considerably less in number than the nurnyber of needles in said group, and Ineens for feeding a, reinforcing thread to a larger number of needles of said group, including the eiioresaid consecutive needles and additional needles located on opposite sides thereof, whereby narrow nigh spliced `gorticn is formed et the noch et he leg; l number of reinforced courses of length are formedbetween the narrow high spliced portion und the. heel pocket.

2. lin a circular stocking knitting niachine, the combination with e circular series of needles, stitch forming cani mechanism for actuating the saine during circular and reciprocating work, and narrowing and Widening mechanism, of' a thread guide movable into and out oi operative position for feeding a reinforcing thread during circular work to e plurality of consecutive needles only,l disposed substantially centrally of the group of needlesivliich lrnit 'the back the leg, the sole, heel, and toe pockets, and being considerably less in nuinber than the number of needles in said group, and a separate thread guide movable into and out ci operative position -tor feeding a separate reinforcing thread to o larger number of needles of said group including the aforesaid consecutive needles and additional, lneedles located on opposite sides thereof, whereby a narrow high spliced portionis formed at the back of the leg, and a number of reinforced courses of greater length 'are' formed between the narrow high spliced portion of the heel pocket.

, 3. ln a circular stocking knitting ina-y chine, the combination with a circular. series of needles, stitch forming cani mechanism ior actuating the saine during circuler Work and reciprocating Work, and narrowing and 'Widening mechanism, of means 'for ele rating. a plurality oiconsecutive needles disposed substantially centrally of the group ol need-les which knit thebach of the leg, the sole, und heel and toe pockets to a greater extent than the needles of said group on either*- side of said centrally disposed consecutive needles, said consecutive needles being considerably less in number then saidv group, and an auxiliary thread guide for feeding, during circular' Work, a reinforcing thread to said consecutive needles when elevvated, at a point above the hooks of the remaining needles of said group.

4l. circular stocking knitting inw chine, the combination with a circular series of needles, stitch forming cam mechanism for actuating the same during circular and reciprocating Work, and narrowing and' Widening mechanism, a plurality of consecutive needles, disposed substantially centrally of the group of needles knitting the buck oiE the leg, sole, and heel and toe pook ets, andrconsiderably less in'number than seid group, being provided with longer cani engaging nibs than the needlesof said group at either side thereof, an auxiliary cani in advance oi' the knitting cam mechanism-for said group of needles, constructed to engage `said longer nibs and elevate the said consecutive needles so provided, above the plane of tne'adgocent needles of the group, e

renin ruido for delivering the 'w knitting thread toall of the needles of the circular series during circular work, and

an auxiliary thread guide for delivering a reinforcing thread to said consecutive needles only, when in elevated position, and

widening mechanism, of means for elevating a plurality of consecutive needles of the group of needles knitting the back of the -leg,sole, and heel and toe pockets, said consecutive needles being located centrally of said group and being considerably less in number than said group, a main thread guide for feeding a main knitting thread during circular work to all of the needles of the circular series, an auxiliary thread guide operable during circular Work and movable into and out of operative position. for feeding a reinforcing thread to said consecutive needle only, when in elevated position, at a point above the hooks of the remaining needles of said group, and a second a1iXiliary.tliread guide operable during circular Work and movable into and out of operative position, for delivering a reinforcing thread to a larger number of the needles of: said group including said co nsecutive needles, whereby a narrow high spliced portion of less width than the long? est course of the heel pocket may be formed at the back of the leg above the heel, and a number of longer reinforced courses may be formed between said narrow high spliced portion and the heel pocket. In a circular stocking knitting machine, the' combination with a circular series ofneedles, stitch forming cam mechanism for actuating the saine during circular and reciprocating work, and narrowing and widening mechanism, of means for elevating a plurality of consecutive needles of the group of needles which knit. the back of the leg,

' sole, and' heel and toe pockets, above the needles of said group at either side of said consecutive needles, vthe said consecutive' needles being located centrally of and being t considerably less in number than said group, means operable during circular work for feeding-a main'knitting tlireadto all of the needles o f the circularl series, means operable during circular workfor feeding a splicing thread to said consecutive needles when in elevated position at a point-above the hooks of the other needles of said group to form a n arrow high splice, and means operable during reciprocating work for feeding all the thread composing the -heel and toe pockets to the needles of said grou at a point below the hooks of the nee. les at' and heel and toe pockets', and'located sub-- stantially centrally between the fashioning needles above the adjacent needles at either side of said consecutive-needles, means for delivering a main knitting thread to all of the needles of the circular series, during -circular work, means for delivering a reinforcing thread to said centrally located consecutive non-fashioning needles when in elevated positionat a point above the hooks of the fashioning needles, means operable during circular work for delivering a reinforcing thread to' a numberA of consecutive needles of said group at a point below the position of the fashioning needles, and means o'per-` able during reciprocating Work for feeding the thread composing the heel to all the needles of said group at a pointI below the hooks of the fashioning needles.

8. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circular series of needlest, including a portion for knitting the fron of the leg of the stocking and top of the foot, and a portion for knitting the back of the leg and sole and the heel and toe pockets, of a cam cylinder operable during circular work and havinga knitting cam for actuat- .ing the series of needles for knitting the front of the stocking, a second `cam cylinder provided with a knitting cam'for actuating the needles knitting the rear portion of the stockingduring circular and reciprocating work, a plurality of the needles located between the fashioning needles being provided with `longer nibs than the needles at either side of the same, said second cam cylinder being provided with a leading cam in ad- Vance ofthe knitting cam for raising the needles having the said longer nibs, an auxiry thread guide for delivering a reinforcing thread to said longer nib needles, when inilaised position, above the plane of the hooks of the needles at either sidefof the same, and capable of being moved intoand out of operative position, and a second auX- iliay thread guide capable of being moved, l into .and out of operative position for feed.

ing a reinforcing thread to all of the needles actuated by said vlast mentioned knitting' y \cain, below the plane of the hooks of the` fashioning needles when the latter are in raised position. ,y

9. In a circular knitting machine, nthe.

leiweieii e eieule series of neelee geen@ ef .needles for knitting a. @ne ef *elle leg and Sep e `he ee, enel eeeeifl geen@ el neeles or lmitlingtlie b ff'ie leg end heel me peckets, o* neelee eempiisingg letee'ally Hlozfiiig needles, e Gemmell? es of nen-eeliioning neeles,. stitch emng eem, mechanism fel" alienating; J bhe needles during Circuler Werk :mail f ff eefmeing the second group of neelee only during leeipreceiing werk, end .el'ze'wing and wening, oiw means operable ming simuler work for feeding' a, reinforcthiead to 'plurality of consecutive needles of alle eshioning needles enly of seid second gieup of needles, for forming a narrow high splice et elle beck of' the leg of "elle mocking. i

l0. ln e, circuler knitting machine, the combination with e Circuler series of needles comprising e group of needles for knitting the front er" the leg :mel top of *alle feet, and Second gte-up elf needles for knitting @if the leg and, the heel exicl toe Seemed group el' n @elles eemly isposed feshiening nee lly disposed series o nenalle@j @bitch ermizig eem emanating all o the neecllee ne miel actuating the up ei' needles only dwing :ee-

iel? e116. Renewing and Widen .les operai-ele during circuler week ing-g' renlereing 'thread to e lulun w @esecutive needles of zhe nenienimg .needles enly ef seid secencl group eeles, for emng e narrow high splice lie beek e" lle leg of the stocking, and

.ne MU 'beck of ehe leg and, the lieel aim above the hooks ef the :Eeshienn means; operable fleeing eieular *E* eeing e eeinereing 'elifeeel ee of f les el: the seid. seceml group of :ee`I form en auxiliary high splice eeween seid. narrow high. splice end 'the heel pee ll. lie e ei'euler leittig machine, di', combination with circule eempi'isng e greep @if neecllee le the firent ef 'the leg' amd bep ef @bliesecond group of needles im l1 l pe se second gmup ef needles compr leaei'elly elispoee eshiening iieeclles? e. centrally dispsed Sees of nonies-hie' o needles, stitch forming @am mechanism actuating all of :Elie needles during cii'eulzu" Work and for actuating the seid see-@nfl group of needles only during recipreceing Werk, and narrowing and Widening, meehenism operable during circular Work foi. eleveting 2, plurality of censecuaive needles ei"- seid non-fasiiiening needles seeeml greep of neeiles; during each Genese greeer exaen; than elle regaining' estimony Whe l' my f in 'lle presence 'ef lawn witnesses.

'Witnesses FRED Ll/l. THEGKSTNS `CLIFFORD S, VANWINKLH. 

